Android smartphone users will soon be able to check Wi-Fi network speeds before they connect, courtesy of the Android 8.1 Oreo update currently rolling out.
The feature updates are already being enjoyed by Google Pixel handset users, as the bumps have been previously announced last December 2017. It's unclear when the roll out will actually reach the majority of Android device users, but as always the case, the update schedule will be determined by handset vendors and service providers.
If and when the 8.1 Oreo updates materialize, Google said users can expect feature, performance, and security enhancements all packed in one dispatch.
"This update contains a number of features, bug fixes, and general performance/stability improvements," the company announced via the official forum page for Google Pixel users.
Included in the update package are key features to make for a more optimal wireless device user experience.
Wi-Fi Speed Labels
With the 8.1 Oreo update comes the new feature that allows handset users to see Wi-Fi speed labels, and as the term indicates, it will serve as an advisory of the assessed connectivity speed. This will be useful when scanning through available public wireless connections and should provide a clear preview if a network is even worth connecting to.
When the update is applied, the Wi-Fi settings menu will begin to flash speed labels that range from Slow, OK, Fast, and Very Fast. It is the latter that has to be the preferred connection, as it will permit users to stream video contents in extremely high quality according to the guidance shared by Google.
A Fast-labeled connection will also afford stable-enough wireless access to streaming contents, including Full HD contents.
Google said the normal Wi-Fi signal strength will be marked as OK, meaning the network can handle the usual email checking and sending, internet surfing, music streaming, and engaging on the various social media platforms. The feature will still display Slow Wi-Fi networks, but tapping on them is not highly recommended.
If for some reasons users will find the feature bump unhelpful, there is an option to deactivate, which can be found also on the Wi-Fi settings menu.
More Oreo Add-Ons
Alongside the Wi-Fi-related update, Google will also deliver the ability to see the available wireless connections and access them right at the Notification Panel. This new feature is in line with Android's intention of speeding up mobile device functionalities by trimming down on circuitous OS features.
The latest Android Oreo version will likewise have a Smart Text Selection tool that, when used, will prompt for next steps such as name or address recognition and searches basing on the highlighted words on the display panel.
As expected, the Android 8.1 Oreo update will bring with it a host of bug fixes and a noticeable step up on performance of the mobile operating system.
